2020 – Page 59 – Maine DOE Newsroom

Students from across Maine met with Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Pender Makin in Augusta for an all-day summit on December 20^th. The students were each selected from a pool of nearly 300 applicants to be part of the Maine Department of Education’s first Student Cabinet. The 12/20 meeting was the first of four meetings to take place this school year.

The Maine DOE and the Maine State Board of Education, with special help from the Board’s two student representatives, Jaylee Rice and Casey Maddock put together the Student Cabinet as a way to include student voice in decision making at the state level. The Cabinet is made up of students from all 16 counties in Maine in grades 4th through 1^st year of college, who were selected based on their thoughtful responses on the application distributed to the public by the Maine DOE this past fall.

During the day-long meeting, students had the opportunity to connect with one another through team-building activities, along with values-based activities to help them identify the importance of their own values and that of others, including the populations they represent. The bulk of the work was done in the second half of the day, as students worked in like-age groups to categorize important topics in education for the Commissioner to be aware of, topics for discussion, and topics to act on.

The day ended with a round table discussion about the topics discussed within each of the groups. From the master list of topics, the students each got the opportunity to vote on the topics they felt were the most important to explore further as a group. Addressing issues of mental health and trauma for students, ensuring inclusive and welcoming schools for all, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all Maine students were goals the group identified as most important.

Three additional follow up meetings are being planned for the winter and spring, in addition to an online discussion board where student cabinet members will have the opportunity to engage with one another and invite other students from their region to join in county level discussions.

Maine DOE Student Cabinet Members:

Name	County
Klara	Androscoggin
Cadence	Androscoggin
Nicholas	Aroostook
Damon	Aroostook
Fiona	Cumberland
Leela	Cumberland
Katelyn	Cumberland
Josh	Cumberland
Monica	Franklin
Mackenzie	Franklin
Sarah	Hancock
Avahnnah	Hancock
Rhayna	Kennebec
Cecilia	Kennebec
Emmett	Knox
Isaiah	Knox
Emma	Lincoln
Zaid	Lincoln
Alexi	Oxford
Connor	Oxford
Maya	Penobscot
Sam	Penobscot
Brooke	Piscataquis
Isabel	Sagadahoc
Madison	Sagadahoc
Savea	Somerset
Annabelle	Somerset
Gaby	Waldo
Stephanie	Waldo
Matthew	Washington
Sarah	York
William	York

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the DOE School Enrollment Specialist for K-12. This includes approving public and private schools, managing home instruction, coordinating Commissioner waivers and Superintendent agreement appeals, and conducting policy and analysis work related to student enrollment and eligibility.

What do you like best about your job?

Everything! I was a university system employee for years (I loved that too). It’s great to be part of the executive branch of government where we get to share the privilege of shaping education for all of our children and youth. I also appreciate so much all of the excellent, dedicated and collaborative colleagues in the Department.

How or why did you decide on this career?

I’ll answer by sharing a favorite statute, from § 5001-A(7): “Compulsory education is essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people and the continued prosperity of our society and our nation. Maintaining regular student attendance is necessary to achieve the goal of an educated citizenry.”

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

Hike the woods and fields with my cattle dog, Nancy; spend time with my husband and children camping (or doing anything); global travel; read; cook. I have a first grandchild too, very sweet!